Is It Time to Repaint Your Chicago Home’s Exterior?

The appearance of your Chicago IL home is a powerful representation of you and your family. Although we’re told not to judge a book by its cover, we do it every day.

The easiest way to breathe new life into your home is with exterior painting. A residential paint job can restore your home’s exterior to a like-new condition. It can completely transform your home’s appearance while increasing curbside appeal.

Exterior painting does more than make Lincoln Park homes look amazing. Paint is an effective protective treatment that preserves your home’s structural integrity during Chicago’s extreme winters.

Regardless of what’s going on inside your house, a pleasing, polished and well-maintained exterior will always make an excellent impression.

Many homeowners don’t know when it’s time for new paint. Our expert painting contractors have compiled this list of things to look for.

Old-school Color Scheme

It’s common to get tired of the same old thing. Your home’s paint job may be perfectly fine, but if it no longer pleases you aesthetically, what’s the point? You might feel that your home is indistinguishable from neighboring homes. Dated colors can cover up your home’s natural beauty.

Jazzing things up with fresh paint and new color can give your home the fresh dazzle you’re longing for. In addition to enhanced visual appeal, the colors you choose should complement the environment and fit in well with the style of your neighborhood.

Nevertheless, our residential painting professionals can still fashion a dynamic look that makes an impact without overpowering the surroundings. One way to achieve that is to use accent colors to emphasize your home’s unique characteristics.

Faded Paint Job

Unfortunately, even the best paint job will start to look faded over time. Subzero winter temperatures, snow, ice, sun, sleet and even wind all take a toll on the condition of your home’s exterior paint. Fading paint can make your home lose its luster and look drab.

Harsh weather also wears down the protective coating that paint provides. You’ll save money in the short term by delaying a new paint job. However, the long-term damage that fading paint can cause will cost you more in the end.

Fading paint is often the first indication that a new paint job is due. Promptly restoring order with fresh paint will prevent any damage to your home’s infrastructure down the road.

Chalky Residue

Try this test. Rub a dark piece of cloth over your paint. Is there a chalky residue on the cloth? If so, it’s time for repainting. The powdery residue is an indication that the paint’s binder is deteriorating and losing its ability to bond with the pigment.

This happens naturally over time as a result of sun and moisture. However, it leaves your house with a faded and dusty appearance. Chalky residue can cause paint film erosion and discoloration. Worst of all, it can damage the structural integrity of your house.

Cracking, Bubbling and Peeling

When paint begins to peel, crack or bubble, it’s wise to take immediate action in the form of new paint. Bubbling can be caused by mold and rot. When paint cracks and peels, the exposed areas underneath have no protection from the elements.

These unprotected areas of your home can quickly and easily get infected with mold and mildew. If you notice chipping or rotting, have your home’s paint job assessed by a painting professional at once.

Mildew and Moisture Stains

If you see moisture stains or mildew, your home may need a good pressure washing. These superficial stains can usually be removed by wiping them off. However, stubborn stains that persist may indicate potentially serious issues brewing under the surface.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to identify the source of all scrub-resistant stains. Fortunately, an experienced exterior painting contractor can investigate the matter, identify any issues and implement an appropriate solution.

Damages to Wood and Stucco

Although a quality paint job provides your home with a protective barrier during Chicago’s extreme weather, the elements still take a heavy toll. Drywall cracks, fractures in stucco or wood and signs of wood rot all require the attention, care and resourcefulness of an outside house painting professional.

All cracks should be filled and sealed. Damaged materials should be replaced. A fresh coat of paint may be applied upon completion of the work. The new paint will ensure a flawless finish on the treated area while protecting the new repair.

How Often Does a Home Need Repainting?

Regular house painting and good home maintenance preserve your home’s structural integrity. Experts recommend residential exterior paint replacement every five or six years. Keeping exterior paint in good condition helps to keep the interior of your home in good condition as well.

Researchers have discovered that the color and quality of a home’s exterior paint job can directly affect that home’s heating and cooling costs. For example, repairing cracks, rot and mold keeps heated and cooled air from escaping. That, in turn, reduces energy bills.

Why Fine Painting?

Because we’re worth it.

The Fine Painting team is on a mission to make Chicagoland homes look terrific. We are a fully insured painting contractor with vetted and screened team members.

Our Chicago painting services are all covered by a full warranty and a 100 percent Happy Customer Guarantee.

Outstanding customer care and a solid track record of impeccable workmanship has made us Lincoln Park’s leading outside house painting professionals. We have the resources, the talent and the creative ability to manifest the house of your dreams on time and within budget.

We provide free onsite inspections and free estimates. Based on your ideas, visions and individual concerns, we will perform a detailed evaluation of your project.

Using high-tech equipment and the most efficient and effective application techniques available, we can guarantee an unsurpassed level of quality for every exterior painting project we complete. Curious about how a stylish paint job can turn your Lincoln Park home into more of a mansion? Call us today for a free assessment, and let’s check out the possibilities.